Modernizing the Udaloy class destroyers

Udaloy class destroyers, together with the Slava and Kirov class cruisers and the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, form the blue water navy component of the Russian Navy. Their large displacement makes them more suitable to operate in the rougher conditions of the words oceans than frigates and corvettes. While the Admiral Gorshkov class frigates have demonstrated their capabilities of operating on the high seas, most notably during the circumnavigation by the lead ship, the RFS Admiral Gorshkov, the larger tonnage of the Udaloy class means that destroyers are more stable platforms.

The modernization of the Russian surface fleet is characterized by two different types of programs. On the one side their is the massive build up of corvettes and frigates to replace the aging vessels in use by the Russian Navy. On the other side there is the modernization of larger surface combatants such as the Slave class cruisers, the Kirov class nuclear cruiser RFS Admiral Nakhimov, the aircraft carrier RFS Admiral Kuznetsov and most recently, the modernization of the Udaloy class destroyer RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov.

At the current pace, the Russian shipbuilding program centers on corvettes and frigates with the aim to have the large majority of its surface fleet replaced by the 2030-2035 timeframe. It is expected that Russia will follow this up with the construction of large surface combatants in the 2030-2050 timeframe. However, this means that in the relative short term, the Russian Navy is left without new destroyers and cruisers to operate on the high seas, hence why modernization of the Udaloy class destroyers takes importance. By modernizing the Udaloy class, Russia buys itself time until it can construct new destroyers.

The ships of the Udaloy class are already old with the RFS Vice-Admiral Kulakov being launched in 1980 and the youngest vessel, the RFS Admiral Chabanenko, being launched in 1994. Most of the current sensors and weapon systems have become obsolete and building spare parts and ammunition is becoming increasingly difficult as the Russian Navy is standardizing its weapon systems and sensors on all its surface ships. Modernizing the Udaloy class destroyers thus means that the old weapon systems needs to be removed and replaced by the latest weapon systems, as seen on the RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov. Recently, new information became available regarding the planned modernization of the RFS Admiral Vinogradov, an Udaloy class destroyer in service with the Pacific Fleet. It should be noted that these modernizations are what the shipyard intents to do. whether the Vinogradov will actually receive all these upgrades remains to be seen.

Vertical launch cells

The RFS Marshall Shaposhnikov sacrificed her second 100mm naval gun and had it replaced with two eight-cell UKSK vertical launch systems which can accommodate the Kalibr and Tsirkon cruise missiles. The Vinogradov is planned to have two more eight-cell launchers installed amidships behind the hangar. As a result, the modernized Vinogradov will have a total of 32 cells, giving her more firepower compared to the latest frigates being build by the Russian Navy.

Surface-to-air missiles

The 3K95 Kinzal surface-to-air missiles installed in the bow section are to be replaced by the more modern 3S90 Uragan SAMs, also known under the export name Shtil-1. The 3S90 Uragan is expected to be installed both in the bow section and amidships. All Udaloy class destroyers have the 3K95 Kinzal in the bow both only a few have the 3K95 Kinzal installed amidships. It is unclear at this point if all modernized Udaloys will receive two 3S90 Uragan systems regardless of the presence or absence of the second 3K95 Kinzal system.

Anti-ship missiles

The Marshal Shaposhnikov had her two quadruple SS-N-14 'Silex' launchers replaced by two quadruple Uran anti-ship cruise missiles. Being much smaller in size, the Uran can be easier installed on board of ships as seen with the modernization of the Nanuchka-III class corvette RFS Smerch. For the modernization of the Vinogradov, another two quadruple launchers are planned to be installed amidships, increasing her total to 16 Uran missiles.

Paket torpedo system

The old torpedo systems amidships are planned to be replaced by the new Paket torpedo systems. The Paket is not only able to launch normal torpedo's but also comes with an anti-torpedo systems. This features a light weight torpedo which can be launched to intercept an incoming torpedo. The light weight torpedo then explodes in front of the incoming torpedo, destroying it in the process. 

Feasibility

It is pointed out that all the additional weapon systems amidships make this area very crowded. The installation of the UKSK vertical launch system and 3S90 Uragan SAMs will prove to be challenging and creates a new vulnerability on board of the modernized Udaloy class. Any incoming missile or artillery shell that hits the VLS amidships can easily penetrate it, setting of the warheads and fuel inside the missiles. Internal mounting offers an additional layer of protection against this but the lack of space, due to the presence of the engine rooms, means that these systems will remain exposed.

Mounting these systems partially internal could be the best solution but this means that internal space has to be sacrificed. The RFS Shaposhnikov had het VLS systems mounted where the second naval gun was installed because the internal space was already allocated to the weapon system, namely munition storage and hydraulics to turn the gun.

It has also been pointed out that the presence of two more Uran launchers could restrict the angles of the Paket-NK system, especially when engaging targets aft. In reality, these restrictions will matter little as long as the torpedo's can be programmed in advance and fired amidships, after which the torpedo is free to turn aft.

There appears to be no indication that the vessel will receive the latest close-in weapon systems, such as the navalized version of the Pantsir air defense system. This could either be to lack of additional space to mount this system or the low availability of this system at the moment. It does mean that even when modernized, the Udaloy's will have to rely on their current CIWS.

The biggest challenge to modernizing the Udaloy class will be the state of its power plant. The average age of an Udaloy class destroyer is currently around 35 year and most of the machinery is in need of replacing. The problem is that Russia is no longer building gas turbines that are compatible for the Udaloy class. Repairs and refurbishing of the power plants might give the Udaloy class some additional time but it will only get them so far. It is most likely that the Udaloy class will have an additional service life of about 10 years left.

RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov after modernization - the offensive warfighting capabilities on the bow section were completely changed into modern weapon systems

Conclusion

Modernizing the Udaloy class destroyers is a very sincere project for the Russian Navy in order to maintain their blue water navy capabilities. New modern weapon systems and sensors will aid the Russian Navy in the field of logistics as the Udaloy's can benefit from the ongoing standardization within the Russian Navy. The new VLS cells will redesignate these vessels as multi-purpose vessels, rather than pure anti-submarine platforms.

The biggest challenge to the entire project are the state of the power plants and the lack of spare plants and possibilities for a complete replacement. Repairs will keep the Udaloy's running but it will only last them so far. As for now, it appears that modernizing the Udaloy's is a temporary solution to keep the blue water navy capabilities until the shipyards are done building corvettes and frigates and are ready for building new destroyers. This will most likely be achieved in the 2030-2035 timeframe.